4 ways to look after your wellbeing when visiting for a conference in NewcastleGateshead

13 January 2023

NewcastleGateshead is not just a global destination for business events, but also a vibrant city in the heart of the North East, jam packed with incredible things to see and do. If you’re visiting for a conference, why not make the most of your downtime to download, reset and recharge after a busy day.

Planning, organising and attending business events is exciting and rewarding, but it can be hard work, too! This guide will take you through the top four ways you can look after your wellbeing while in NewcastleGateshead.

1. Immerse yourself in nature

Newcastle and neighbouring Gateshead are blooming with parks, gardens and green spaces, giving you plenty of opportunity to walk off a busy mind and breathe in some fresh air. Whether you’re needing a brisk autumnal walk, or a longer summer saunter there are many open spaces in Newcastle and Gateshead to discover.

Jesmond Dene is an expanse of urban park within Newcastle; made up of leafy nooks, meandering greenery and its very own waterfall, it’s the perfect place to find some peace and quiet.

Exhibition Park is one of Newcastle’s finest city parks with a mix of tree-lined paths, large informal lawn areas and beautiful flower beds. Home to Wylam Brewery at Palace of Arts, Exhibition Park is often host to many festivals and events from music concerts to charity fun runs. The park is part of Newcastle’s Town Moor which is larger than London’s Hyde Park and Hampstead Heath, and visitors will often be joined by the city’s very own cows who graze there in the summer months.

Saltwell Park in Gateshead is one of Britain’s finest examples of a Victorian park, and the perfect place to spend some much needed downtime. Saltwell Towers , a grand building in the centre of the park, houses a popular café and is a great central point to then wander the grounds and take a stroll around the park’s large lake.

2. Pamper yourself

A hidden gem right in the city centre, Newcastle’s City Pool and Turkish Baths has recently been lovingly restored and is now a wellness haven with a swimming pool, Turkish Baths, and yoga and gym facilities.

What better way to recharge your batteries than with an authentic Turkish Baths experience in the heart of Newcastle city centre. Enter the ornate and historic City Baths and unlock pure relaxation in art deco inspired relaxation rooms, heated chambers and invigorating plunge showers.

3. Take in the views

Once you have put down the lanyard and changed out of your business attire for the day, it can be hard to switch off. Get some perspective and take in the best views of the city to help you unwind for the day.

Football is at the heart of Newcastle, quite literally with Newcastle United’s stadium, St. James’ Park, situated in the very centre of the city. The stadium offers rooftop tours which will not only take you to new heights, but also give you one of the most unique views of Newcastle, Gateshead and the surrounding North East of England.

Newcastle Castle is a must-visit attraction which explores the history of the city, from a royal fortress to grim dungeons, but a dark and twisted history isn’t all you can find here. If you’re brave enough to climb the narrow, spiral staircase all the way to the top of the castle, the rooftop offers unrivalled 360 views of the city and is the ideal spot to catch a breath taking sunset.

BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art is the biggest gallery of its kind in the world. Housed in a historic, renovated flour mill on the Gateshead bank of the River Tyne, BALTIC is free to enter and offers year-round programmes of exhibitions and projects to explore.

Aside from the show-stopping art, the gallery also has a viewing platform which serves  up stunning panoramic views of the iconic NewcastleGateshead quayside.

4. Appreciate some art

It’s well documented that engaging in art can have a positive effect on your wellbeing and there is no shortage of opportunity to soak in some art and culture with a thriving community of art galleries in Newcastle and Gateshead. If you’ve had a busy day at a conference or business event, visiting an art gallery can help declutter your mind.

Accompanying the previously mentioned BALTIC Centre for Contemporary arts on the Gateshead side of the River Tyne, Shipley Art Gallery is the North East’s leading gallery for contemporary art and design and has one of the best collections of ceramics, wood, metal, glass, textiles and furniture outside of London.

Laing Art Gallery is Newcastle’s first and oldest gallery,  first opened in 1904. The art gallery regularly features touring exhibitions as well as impressive permanent collections that are shown year-round.

One of Newcastle’s hidden gems, Side Gallery is a local film and photography collective, born from an appreciation for humanist documentary and explores the importance of the marginalised, working-class communities in the North East and across the world.

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